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Abstract:

A therapeutic device for application to a user's body in order to effect
transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation, includes a conductive
flexible member having a top side and a bottom side, a first electrode
disposed in the member and connectable with external electrical apparatus
for establishing a current distribution through the member and into the
user's body, a second electrode disposed in the member and connectable
with external electrical apparatus for establishing an electric field
within the member in order control the current distribution through the
member and into the user's body; and a conductive adhesive disposed on
the conductive member bottom side for adhering the device to a the user's
body.

Claims:

1. A therapeutic device for application to a user's body in order to
effect transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation, the device
comprising: a conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom
side; a first electrode disposed in the member and connectable with
external electrical apparatus for establishing a current distribution
through the member and into the user's body; a second electrode disposed
in the member and connectable with external electrical apparatus for
establishing an electric field within the member in order control the
current distribution through the member and into the user's body; and a
conductive adhesive disposed on the conductive member bottom side for
adhering the device to a the user's body.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said first electrode is
disposed at the flexible member top side.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said second electrode is
disposed at the flexible member bottom side.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second
electrodes are spaced apart from one another.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the first and
second electrodes comprises a conductive grid.

6. The device according to claim 4 wherein the first and second
electrodes each comprises a conductive grid.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein each conductive grid comprises
a conductive ink pattern.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the ink pattern has a greater
conductivity than a conductivity of the flexible member.

9. A therapeutic device for application to a user's body in order to
effect transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation, the device
comprising: a conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom
side; a pair of transversely spaced apart electrodes disposed on or in
said flexible conductive member for controlling, in combination,
electrical current density applied to the user's body, each electrode
having a connection for establishing electrical contact with external
apparatus; and a conductive adhesive disposed on the conductive member
bottom side for adhering the device to the user's body.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein one of the pair of electrodes
is disposed on the conductive member top side and another of the pair of
electrodes is disposed on the conductive member bottom side.

11. The device according to claim 9 wherein each of the pair of
electrodes comprises a conductive pattern.

12. The device according to claim 9 wherein at least one of the
electrodes comprises a conductive grid.

13. The device according to claim 9 wherein the electrodes each comprises
a conductive grid.

14. The device according to claim 9 wherein said first electrode is
disposed at the flexible member top side.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein said second electrode is
disposed at the flexible member bottom side.

16. The device according to claim 13 wherein at each conductive grid
comprises a conductive ink pattern.

17. The device according to claim 15 wherein the ink pattern having a
greater conductivity that a conductive of the flexible member.

Description:

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a therapeutic device for
application to a user's body in order to effect transcutaneous nerve
and/or muscle stimulation.

[0002] Medical electrodes must provide an even electrical coupling to a
patient's skin over an entire surface of the electrode to effect proper
coupling. Because of the curvaceous nature of the human body, it is
apparent that medical electrodes for use thereon must be flexible not
only for confirmation with a patient's skin contours, but also to
accommodate relative movement of the patient's skin.

[0003] A number of electrode designs have been developed using various
conductive materials in order to provide electrode with controlled
current distribution. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,796, "Electrode
Stimulation Electrode with Impedance Compensation" to Axelgaard teaches
the use of an electrical shunt for controlling impedance composition.

[0004] No attempt has been made to date to electronically control current
distribution within a therapeutic device utilizing multiple electrodes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A therapeutic device for application to a user's body in order to
effect transcutaneous nerve and/or muscle stimulation generally includes
a conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side along
with a first electrode disposed in the member and connectable with an
external electrical apparatus for establishing a current distribution
through the member and into the user's body.

[0006] A second electrode is provided and disposed in the member and
connectable with external electrode apparatus for establishing an
electric field within the member in order to control current distribution
through the member and into the user's body. A conductive adhesive is
disposed on the conductive member bottom side for adhering a device to
the patient's body.

[0007] More particularly, the first and second electrodes are spaced apart
from one another and may be placed on the conductive member top side and
bottom side respectively.

[0008] Each of the electrodes may comprise a conductive grid, such as, for
example, conductive ink patterns or the like.

[0009] The second electrode produces an electric field caused in part by a
voltage difference between the first and second electrodes which can be
used to alter, modify, or control the current distribution through the
member provided by the first electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The advantages and features of the present invention will be better
understood by the following description when considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded cross sectional view of a therapeutic device
in accordance with the present invention generally showing a conductive
flexible member having a top side and a bottom side, a first electrode
disposed in the member and connectable within an external electrical
apparatus for establishing a current distribution through the member and
into a user's body (not shown) along with a second electrode disposed in
the member and connectable with an external electrical apparatus for
establishing an electrical field within a member in order to control the
current distribution through the member and into the user's body; and

[0012] FIGS. 2a-2d illustrate various patterns which may be useful for
providing a conductive grid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a therapeutic device 10 in
accordance with the present invention which generally includes a
conductive flexible member 12 having a top side 16 and a bottom side 18,
a pair of transversely spaced apart electrodes, namely a first electrode
22 and a second electrode 24 disposed in or on the conductive flexible
member 12 with both electrodes 22, 24 being connectable, through lead
wires 30, 32 to external electrical apparatus (not shown).

[0014] A non-conductive flexible sheet 36 covers the conductive flexible
member 12 and is adhered thereto by an adhesive layer 38. A suitable
conductive hydrogel adhesive 40 is utilized for adhering a device 10 to a
patient's body or skin 42.

[0015] A plastic carrier 44 may be provided in order to prevent
inadvertent and/or premature adhesion of the patient's skin 42 or other
object to the hydrogel 40 with the carrier 44 being removed prior to
application of the device 10 to the patient's skin.

[0016] The conductive flexible member 12 may be formed from PVC and the
electrodes 22, 24 may have a grid pattern formed by a conductive ink such
as illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2d. Various patterns, as illustrated in FIGS.
2a-2h, among others, may be utilized for the electrodes 22, 24 in order
to tailor current distribution of the device 10.

[0017] Various electrical stimulation pulses of different voltages may be
applied to the electrodes 22, 24 through the leads 30, 32.

[0018] A current distribution provided by the first electrode 22 and the
skin 42 is altered by the electric field established by the
electrification of the second electrode 24. Thus, control of the current
distribution through the member 12 and into the user's body or skin 42 is
effected.

[0019] Not being bound by theory of operation the field controlling
electrode may operate analogous to a triode.

[0020] The relative conductivities of the conductive flexible member 12
and electrodes 22, 24 also contribute to the current density control with
the conductivity of the grid electrodes 22, 24 being greater than the
conductivity of the flexible sheet 12.

[0021] Although there has been hereinabove described a specific dual-sided
CC electrode in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of
illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage,
it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That
is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist
essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention
illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence
of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly,
any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which
may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within
the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.